Al Arbour to coach game #1500 - LocalApple

CityGuy · 11-01-2007, 10:43 PM

By Chris Botta
As Al Arbour prepares to coach his 1,500th regular season game with the Islanders on Saturday, we contacted NHL legend Scotty Bowman to get his thoughts on his longtime friend.

Bowman coached Arbour for three seasons in St. Louis from 1967 - 1970. During that period, Arbour - a very steady veteran defenseman - was the team captain and the Blues went to the Stanley Cup Final each season. Arbour eventually succeeded Bowman as head coach in St. Louis and took that experience with him to Long Island, where Arbour was named Islanders head coach in 1973. Through it all - including countless head-to-head matchups, the last being in 1993 when Arbour's Islanders defeated Bowman's two-time defending champion Penguins - the two have remained close. They even live near each other in Florida. When we reached Bowman over the phone, he was very happy to talk about his dear friend. Here's what he had to say:

"For my first job as an NHL head coach, I was so fortunate to have Al Arbour as my captain. Keep in mind this was during a time in the late Sixties when coaches didn't have a staff, so to have a player as experienced and dedicated as Al was a great benefit to me. In fact, he was really more of a player-coach than just a player. Before he came to St. Louis, Al played under Joe Crozier with the Rochester Americans in the AHL and that experience served him well when he began coaching.

"He was as vital a player as anyone when it came to those Blues teams making the Stanley Cup Final all three years Al and I were together.
"I remember two things about Al as a player. For starters, there wasn't a more consistent stay-at-home defenseman in that era than Al. When you consider there were so few teams during that time, think about the player someone the caliber of Al Arbour would be today! On defense, he was a tremendous role model for Barclay and Bob Plager and all of our younger players.

"The other thing is that Al was one of the most courageous players I've ever been associated with. When the Blues got him, Al was 35 and had played in a lot of games at the NHL and AHL level. But he played through so many injuries, the kind of injuries I saw keep other guys out of action for a while. I'll never forget that about him. He set an example for others to follow.
"As a coach, of course, Al Arbour put his stamp on the NHL forever. What he'll probably always be remembered for is how he molded a true TEAM. He had some brillinat players that had Hall of Fame careers like Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Trottier, Bossy, Gillies. But it was Al who got them to be part of the team fabric. If the all-stars do not buy in to Al's concept, the Islanders do not become a dynasty.

"Al also worked wonders with the role players. Because he emphasized a team game and preached that the team always came first, the other players saw the commitment of the stars and the result was a team that worked as hard as any team in the league during that time. Al had a role for everyone on that team and was successful in getting each player to accept his role.
"Al had so much success as a coach because of his no-nonsense personality. I'm told that if there was ever a problem on the ice or behind the scenes, Al was a master communicator. He never let problems fester.

"And, of course, he was as good as anyone as a bench manager. They used to say the Islanders could beat you any style you wanted to play them. Al always pulled the right strings.

"He's always been a good friend and I'm so proud of everything he has accomplished. Saturday night is going to be an amazing time for Al and Claire and their family. I wish them nothing but the best."

PaullyInNYC · 11-01-2007, 10:46 PM

This is very risky move on the NY Islanders organization. Dont get me wrong its a GREAT tribute and a wonderful thing to do for a person who has been so dedicated to hocky. But to have him coach his 1500th game against a dam good Penguins team, it would be disappointing if they lost this game. I really hope the Islanders come out hard and with a purpose. They need to win Saturday night if not for anything for Al Arbour.

TheMan · 11-01-2007, 10:47 PM

the new york islanders better win this game. Al is like 80 something and fragile, he may have a heart attack if they dont win. you dont want to have your coach laying on the ground gasping for air because he lost a game.

pressure game for these islanders!!

SwimCoach · 11-01-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMan

the new york islanders better win this game. Al is like 80 something and fragile, he may have a heart attack if they dont win. you dont want to have your coach laying on the ground gasping for air because he lost a game.

pressure game for these islanders!!

haha it makes me think one of these big players will pat him on the back if they win and his dentures will fall out.

CityGuy · 11-01-2007, 10:51 PM

hey this is an new york islanders legend ... lets not pick on him anymore ... although it would be hilarious if the NY islanders won the game and someone patted him on the back and his teeth or dentures fell out!!! hehehe

11-01-2007, 10:46 PM	#2
PaullyInNYC Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 1,270	Re: Al Arbour to coach game #1500 This is very risky move on the NY Islanders organization. Dont get me wrong its a GREAT tribute and a wonderful thing to do for a person who has been so dedicated to hocky. But to have him coach his 1500th game against a dam good Penguins team, it would be disappointing if they lost this game. I really hope the Islanders come out hard and with a purpose. They need to win Saturday night if not for anything for Al Arbour.

11-01-2007, 10:47 PM	#3
TheMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 311	Re: Al Arbour to coach game #1500 the new york islanders better win this game. Al is like 80 something and fragile, he may have a heart attack if they dont win. you dont want to have your coach laying on the ground gasping for air because he lost a game. pressure game for these islanders!!

11-01-2007, 10:51 PM	#5
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,020	Re: Al Arbour to coach game #1500 hey this is an new york islanders legend ... lets not pick on him anymore ... although it would be hilarious if the NY islanders won the game and someone patted him on the back and his teeth or dentures fell out!!! hehehe

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-01-2007, 10:43 PM	#1
CityGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manhatten Posts: 1,020	Al Arbour to coach game #1500 By Chris Botta As Al Arbour prepares to coach his 1,500th regular season game with the Islanders on Saturday, we contacted NHL legend Scotty Bowman to get his thoughts on his longtime friend. Bowman coached Arbour for three seasons in St. Louis from 1967 - 1970. During that period, Arbour - a very steady veteran defenseman - was the team captain and the Blues went to the Stanley Cup Final each season. Arbour eventually succeeded Bowman as head coach in St. Louis and took that experience with him to Long Island, where Arbour was named Islanders head coach in 1973. Through it all - including countless head-to-head matchups, the last being in 1993 when Arbour's Islanders defeated Bowman's two-time defending champion Penguins - the two have remained close. They even live near each other in Florida. When we reached Bowman over the phone, he was very happy to talk about his dear friend. Here's what he had to say: "For my first job as an NHL head coach, I was so fortunate to have Al Arbour as my captain. Keep in mind this was during a time in the late Sixties when coaches didn't have a staff, so to have a player as experienced and dedicated as Al was a great benefit to me. In fact, he was really more of a player-coach than just a player. Before he came to St. Louis, Al played under Joe Crozier with the Rochester Americans in the AHL and that experience served him well when he began coaching. "He was as vital a player as anyone when it came to those Blues teams making the Stanley Cup Final all three years Al and I were together. "I remember two things about Al as a player. For starters, there wasn't a more consistent stay-at-home defenseman in that era than Al. When you consider there were so few teams during that time, think about the player someone the caliber of Al Arbour would be today! On defense, he was a tremendous role model for Barclay and Bob Plager and all of our younger players. "The other thing is that Al was one of the most courageous players I've ever been associated with. When the Blues got him, Al was 35 and had played in a lot of games at the NHL and AHL level. But he played through so many injuries, the kind of injuries I saw keep other guys out of action for a while. I'll never forget that about him. He set an example for others to follow. "As a coach, of course, Al Arbour put his stamp on the NHL forever. What he'll probably always be remembered for is how he molded a true TEAM. He had some brillinat players that had Hall of Fame careers like Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Trottier, Bossy, Gillies. But it was Al who got them to be part of the team fabric. If the all-stars do not buy in to Al's concept, the Islanders do not become a dynasty. "Al also worked wonders with the role players. Because he emphasized a team game and preached that the team always came first, the other players saw the commitment of the stars and the result was a team that worked as hard as any team in the league during that time. Al had a role for everyone on that team and was successful in getting each player to accept his role. "Al had so much success as a coach because of his no-nonsense personality. I'm told that if there was ever a problem on the ice or behind the scenes, Al was a master communicator. He never let problems fester. "And, of course, he was as good as anyone as a bench manager. They used to say the Islanders could beat you any style you wanted to play them. Al always pulled the right strings. "He's always been a good friend and I'm so proud of everything he has accomplished. Saturday night is going to be an amazing time for Al and Claire and their family. I wish them nothing but the best."